CHANGES to the Island’s Dogs Law around the keeping of “dangerous” breeds such as the XL bully have been voted through by politicians, in spite of lingering concerns about how they will be enforced.
The legislation put forward by the Constables’ Committee included a new requirement that XL bully dogs and associated breeds must be registered, neutered, muzzled in public and subject to restrictions on breeding and selling.
Already backed in principle by the Assembly earlier this month, the matter returned following further review by the Environment, Housing and Infrastructure Scrutiny Panel.
Deputy Hilary Jeune, chair of the panel, said she remained concerned regarding inadequate consultation with stakeholders, notably the police and the JSPCA, and about how dogs deemed not to be compliant with the law could be seized.
Constables’ Committee chair Mike Jackson conceded there was work still to be done about enforcement, but played down fears about the cost of seizing dangerous dogs, saying that owners who broke the law would be liable for the cost.
The final vote to pass the amended law brought 41 votes in favour, while Deputies Geoff Southern, Montfort Tadier and Max Andrews voting against and there were absentions from Deputies Carina Alves and Tom Coles.
